Good Dreams

Disc review

by André Péloquin – January 19, 2012

Indie folk minstrel Galen Hartley is accumulating first times these days. After his first year residing in Montreal, the Victoria expat finally releases his debut solo album, following a string of atypical folk projects like Panty Boy and Elephant Island. Contrary to what its title might suggest, Good Dreams features anything but meditative, starry-eyed ditties. Musically, Hartley’s solo project is akin to Conor Oberst (especially on Prince and Vice President) or Sufjan Stevens’ repertoire (Have Mercy on the Old Gang comes to mind), but his lyrics, half earnest poetry and half tongue-in-cheek witticisms, really stand out, adding value to an already satisfying work of art.